In June, while he was still in prison, Lopez published a video asking the military to rebel against the government.

Ledezma was arrested in February 2015 on charges of conspiracy. After spending two months in the military prison at Ramo Verde, he received a “precautionary measure to substitute freedom” for health reasons. He has not yet been convicted.

In 2014, after the opposition lost in municipal elections, Lopez led violent guarimbas in an effort to unseat the government.

Despite the mounting death toll and the continued violence, Lopez insisted people should keep trying to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

The unrest led to 43 deaths, with victims of the protests, including the family members of some of those killed, calling for justice.

Lopez was later tried for his role in the violence and sentenced to 14 years in prison.